pvd2mco

Per the SPG site, "Category 6 hotels are the world's most exclusive hotels and resorts, each one reflecting the unique characteristics of its surroundings for an unparalleled travel experience. Depending on the season, you will need between 20,000 or 25,000 Starpoints® for a free night at a Category 6 hotel."

Just about anyone who has stayed at The Westin Key West can confirm that it is not one of the world's most exclusive hotels and resorts. It is not even close. Small rooms, lack of upgrades, small pool shaded by buildings, noisy air conditioners, costly parking, cruise ships blocking the view, and the list goes on and on. Raising the award cost to category 6 just means that they want less people to stay there on points. I certainly will not waste any points there from now on.

jdawg

To put this resort on the same level as the W Barcelona is simply insulting. They have an inflated ADR, which is why I'm guessing their category is so high.

PHLGovFlyer

I'll add that they don't even have a beach directly accessible to the hotel. You have to pay $20 per person to get over to the small beach on Sunset Key. Also it only has one restaurant that isn't particularly exciting and the "view" is of a concrete wharf that is mobbed with tourists in the evening.

Who do they think they're kidding? This place rates the same number of points as the St. Regis Princeville??? Unreal...

jb3t

Hi, anyone have any updates? I see this is hit or miss. My questions...

- Is there a Club Lounge?
- What's the deal w parking?
- How are the suites?
- did service improve?

Trying to decide between here are Sheraton suites. Here for work.

pbiflyer

No Club lounge
Valet parking only.

SNA1K

There is a parking structure next door that you can self-park in (but as pbiflyer mentioned valet only perhaps this has changed in the past year???)

The suites are nice--if you can get them.

The Sheraton Suites are quite far away and are close to the airport. Depending on where you are working and how easy it is to drive (and especially park) will dictate which part of the island to stay at.

jb3t

Thanks. I will be visiting the airport for work. The SS would actually be closer.

I dont see a master thread on the SS property. What's the deal with parking there and how's the property in general? As I'm there for work I'm less concerned about touristy things and more about in-and-out access, limiting expenses, and being able to grab some food and some beers at a local place.

frankaustx

The Sheraton Suites has a motel-ish vibe. I like the rooms. Grounds are very nice. Last stay I was upgraded to an ocean view room (which is visible across the highway). Breakfast is solid. Parking is easy and in/out is quite easy. Unless you like really long walks, you do have to drive anywhere you are going. There really is nothing nearby other than the beach.

MilesTalk

Is there any way to get a deal on this property? Trying for a stay Apr 3-6 and every offer on SPG.com (birth year, 40% off 2nd, night, etc - they come up as participating but then then it says the code (all of them) is invalid. The rates are north of $500/nt!

PHLGovFlyer

I'm checking in very soon with my GF. She's SPG Gold FWIW and we're using her points for a 5 night stay.

I just checked the reservation online through her account and it now shows a $25 per night resort fee. I honestly don't recall seeing a resort fee when we made this reservation about 3 months ago. I'm also wondering what guests get for their $25 per night or is it just the typical padding on the bill.

ETA: I just got a copy of the email confirmation from her and it does not list a resort fee

Starwood Lurker

On the property announcements page, it lists these amenities covered by the resort charge:

Resort Charge Policy
A daily 25 USD resort charge covers the following:

•Toll-free, local, and domestic long-distance phone calls
•Wireless High Speed Internet Access
•Lobby refreshments, including Starbucks® brewed coffee and fresh Florida orange juice in the morning and virgin Mojitos in the afternoon
•In-room bottled water on arrival and at checkout
•In-room coffee service
•In-room safe
•In-room umbrellas and ponchos for use during rain
•Two bathrobes and matching slippers in all guest rooms
•Pool towels for all watersports activities as needed
•Poolside refreshments daily, including fresh fruit kabobs and popsicles, as well as iced towels and sunglass polishing
•24-hour access to the business center and the fitness center

Best regards,

William R. Sanders
Social Media Specialist
Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide

[email protected]

jb3t

I'd call them. They just instituted that fee in November. I bet if you ask nice (and explain that the fee was not there when you booked) they'll waive it. They did for me for a stay earlier this month.

englert

I booked a room on points there in a few weeks. I knew about the resort fee but didnt realize it was an extra fee to take the boat to the island, thats charged on top of the resort fee? Also how convenient is the boat? We will only be there for one full day so we dont want to waste time, Im starting to think we should move to a hotel that has a beach on the property.

PHLGovFlyer

Yes, the boat to Sunset Key is an additional $20 per person. The boat is very convenient and runs every 15 minutes. The trip takes about 5 minutes. IMO the fee is well worth it if you want a quiet day on a beach in Key West. The beaches in Key west are pretty mediocre so having the ability to go to a private one in a nice location with beach chairs, towels, and waiter service for drinks and food make the fee worthwhile.

The Concierge desk at the Westin sells passes to Sunset Key only to guests of the Westin and they're very strict about limiting the number of passes they sell each day. You cannot buy the passes in advance of the day you plan on visiting Sunset Key. They start selling them at 8:00 a.m. for that day only and when they're gone, they're gone. There's often a queue at the Concierge desk forming before 8 so don't be late.

As to alternate properties on KW, if you want to stick with SPG there's only the Sheraton. The beach there isn't really "on the property" it's across a busy road. The Sheraton is also quite far from the action on KW (Duval Street). IMO the hotel with the best "on property" beach in KW is the Casa Marina but that's a HH property not SPG.

allbrosca

I believe that there is no charge if you have a reservation at the restaurant at Sunset Key. I think that was the case when I was there a few years back so it may have changed.